The Hot Cast

Ruben and RJ return with a brand new Hot Cast after the Fire's loss to FC Cincinnati. Today, they go over what went wrong with the Fire's defense and why they can't seem to find the back of the net except on set pieces. They have a long discussion about Xherdan Shaqiri and where he could help the team because it doesn't seem like the middle is it. However, the boys are actually pretty optimistic a...

Ruben and RJ return for a brand new episode of the show. Ruben sounds like he's in a fish bowl because he's developed an allergy to bad defense, and the Fire are trying to kill him. They break down what went wrong on the turf fields of the Benz, including a disastrous performance by Carlos Teran. They then talk about what to do with Xherdan Shaqiri and where he's the most effective. Ruben then get...

Ruben and RJ return after a week off because Ruben was moving. They discuss the loss to the Red Bulls and why this keeps happening. They discuss the officiating quality of Jon Freedman as well as MLS and PRO referees as a whole, bemoaning their general lack of consistency and compatance. Then they talk about Jairo Torres and Chris Mueller’s impending arrivals, and what that would mean tactically f...

The Chicago Fire are out of the Open Cup, and Ruben and RJ are here to talk about it. They go over every little detail of the match from coaching strategy to the on-field performances to the rub of the green and lack of it. No stone is unturned and nothing is left unsaid. Then they run down the results from the rest of the 3rd round and go over tonight's fixtures. They also take a bit of time to g...

The Chicago Fire finally lost and Ruben and RJ are back this week to discuss the inevitable. They go over the loss to Orlando including praise of the Defense's attention to detail. They also discuss the lack of offensive production, and Ruben finally gives you all permission to panic. Brian Gutierrez's red card is also talked about, and your hosts talk about the lack of discipline of the squad and...

Ruben and RJ are here to discuss all things Chicago Fire. They begin the show talking about the 0-0 draw with FC Dallas that kept the Brimstone Cup in Chicago for another year. They talk through the team's reaction to having their two most important signings of the winter be out and still be able to get a result. Rhen they talk through their worries about the attack and what they need to do going...

Ruben and RJ are back this week after taking the international break early due to health reasons, so they have a jampacked show for you today. First, they talk a bit about the win over SKC and how well they played on the day and what it means going forward. They also discuss the big picture of the Fire's first 4 games. What's impressed them, and what they're still worried about. They then spend th...

Ruben and RJ are both ecstatic and perplexed by this week's win at DC United. They talk about the improved defense, Ezra Hendrickson and the rest of the coaching staff's involvement in turning this ship around, and goals, Jerry, goals! They also spend a lot of time talking about Gastón Giménez and how frustrating he is with his inconsistent play. They end the show with some talk about the situatio...

Ruben and RJ are back to break down the weekend's action (or lack thereof). They start with some praise of the Fire's defense and how it's so much better than in the last several seasons. Then they talk a bit about the problems the offense is having, and how they're really unable to fix it during the transfer window. Aftrer breaking down the match against Orlando, your hosts then chat about The At...

Ruben and RJ are back and on-topic this week as there was a lot to digest after the scoreless draw in Miami. They go through what happened on Saturday evening player by player and attempt to put their finger on what went right for the Fire and what they need to do to improve on their performance. Then they talk about Saturday's home opener while Ruben tries to convince RJ that Jhon Durán should be...

Ruben and RJ are back for another year of The Hot Cast. They break down the Fire's offseason and discuss their overhaul of the roster. Then they move on to discuss where they think the Fire can go, and try to answer who the club's MVP will be. They then turn their attention to the match at Inter Miami and talk Fire win conditions. All that plus predictions and thoughts on the Cup on this week's Ho...

Ruben and RJ return for their last podcast before the official season preview and they're here to talk about all things Xeridan Shaquiri. They not only talk about what this move means for the club and their ambitions for the league but also take a deep dive onto the audio chalkboard to discuss the tactics of the move. They talk about where they think he'll be best used and what the squad can do ar...

Ruben and RJ return to check in on what the Chicago Fire have been up to since their last show. They discuss the brand new signing Rafael Czihos from FC Köln in the German Bundesliga and what impact they'll have on the squad. Then they go over everything that happened over the month of December including Ezra Henderickson rounding out his coaching staff with club legend CJ Brown (and discuss what...

Happy Thanksgiving from the Hot Cast! Ruben and RJ are back sooner than expected to talk about the recent coaching news for both top flight teams in the city. They discuss Ezra Hendrickson's background and examine his resume, talk about how he'll affect the transfer moves during the offseason, and what kind of football to expect out of the club next season. Score another point for Ruben's theory t...

It's the last episode of the season, which means it's time to eulogize and autopsy the 2-21 Chicago Fire. Ruben and RJ discuss what went wrong, what went right, and everything in between. They discuss their general feelings from the season, the new logo, and have a (very short) debate over who the MVP for the team was. They also ask who the Fire should hire to manage the squad, and try to figure o...

Ruben and RJ are back on an off weekend for once to talk about all the discourse surrounding the local men's XI. They briefly talk about the loss to NYCFC and quickly move on to the news dropped in The Athletic about the three known head coach candidates that have had interviews for the job. They discuss who they are and what the positives and negatives they could bring to the job. Ruben also talk...

Ruben and RJ are back battling the flu on this week's Hot Cast. They start off talking through the last week or so of results for the Fire and talk a bit about why things are going better for them now versus the previous 6 months. Then they talk about Fan Appreciation Night and what it was like having 30 thousand people at Soldier Field. We also get an RJ Food Review and discuss the two recent sig...

Ruben and RJ are back to talk about them Fires. In today's episode. they speak to the Fire's 3-1 loss to Toronto FC, but end up feeling positive about the whole thing. Then they jump off to begin to explore who should be on the team for next year, and who will need to find a roster spot elsewhere. Then they discuss the official adoption of the brand new team crest and explore the new items in the...

Ruben and RJ are back with another big picture episode. Ruben makes the case on why Georg Heitz and Raphael Wicky should come back next season after they use the last week of results to talk about the Fire's current roster problems. Then they talk about how to fix it and go through and look at who most likely is and isn't coming back next year. All that and more on this week's episode of the Hot C...

On today’s episode of the Hot Cast, Ruben and RJ forgo a real discussion on the losses to DC and Montreal to focus on the macro view of the club. They start by discussing the absences of Ignacio Aliseda and Gaston Gimenez and what they mean for the squad going forward. Then they talk about the interview Fire general manager Georg Heitz gave to Tyler Terens that aired at halftime of the Montreal ma...

On today’s episode of the show, Ruben and RJ find a window to record during a short week around family obligations to talk about the Chicago Fire ’s loss to Sporting Kansas City . They opine on Fredrico Navarro’s debut and how it changed everything and talk about Raphael Wickey getting it wrong in the first half. Then they look at the defense and how a back four looks without their captain and wha...

Ruben and RJ are back to discuss the win against the Red Bulls and what the Fire did right in order to secure their first road win in nearly two seasons. They also go in-depth on what Frederico Navarro will bring to the team, and how it could potentially change what the Fire do on a tactical level. Then they talk a bit about the upcoming vacation and whether or not they'll be watching any of the W...

Ruben and RJ are back this week to discuss the last week in Chicago Fire land. They go over the two losses to Miami and Orlando, talk about the new sister club, the Swiss FC Lugano and what it could mean for the Fire, and discuss the shortcomings of the Fire in the most recent transfer market. All that and more on this week's Hot Cast. 

On today's show, Ruben and RJ are joined by Hot Time Chicago Red Stars editor and occasional Fire contributor Alex Campbell joins the show to talk all things Chicago soccer. We start with the Fire's win over Columbus and from there, they discuss the implications going forward for the squad. Then they discuss Elliot Collier and his role on the team and try to figure out how and why he keeps getting...

Ruben and RJ are back this week and talking about the Fire's 4 point week. They break down what went right against the New York teams, and then discuss how the club can still improve. They specifically bring up Luka Stojanovic and the unique (good) problems he poses in the Fire lineup. They then transition to talking about next year and whether or not the current performances are predictive of nex...